Flint gets new airport - LaKisha Jones International Airport

M. Scott Brauer/The Flint JournalCharles Brown of Flint hugs LaKisha Jones as she leaves Bishop Airport on Sunday night.See more photos from her first visit back to Flint since becoming a finalist on American Idol. (Click on photo to see larger version)

To mark her homecoming Sunday, Bishop International Airport was renamed Flint's LaKisha Jones International Airport for one day, and the "American Idol" singer really did take over, with everyone in the place - from pilots and ticket-takers to passengers and fans - greeting their hometown hero with posters, balloons, "Flint's Rose" T-shirts, roses, screams and chants of "Kisha, Kisha."

To mark her homecoming Sunday, Bishop International Airport was renamed Flint's LaKisha Jones International Airport for one day, and the "American Idol" singer really did take over, with everyone in the place - from pilots and ticket-takers to passengers and fans - greeting their hometown hero with posters, balloons, "Flint's Rose" T-shirts, roses, screams and chants of "Kisha, Kisha."

It was a diverse crowd -- black and white, young and old; lots of parents with their kids, many wielding homemade sings like "we love you lakisha."

Looking svelte, gorgeous and every inch a star in a short black jacket and black jeans, at about 8:20 p.m. Jones came down an airport escalator guarded by police and waved to the crowd of at least 200.

She'd flown into Flint from Los Angeles, switching planes in Detroit.

Making her way slowly to a podium in the airport's large lobby for a brief press conference, the crowd followed, crushing in around her. Jones stood on a box to reach the microphone and said, "Hello, Flint. Good to be here. I'm glad to see everybody.

"I'll be back to celebrate the homecoming on June 9," she said, referring to a parade and gala the city is planning for the soulful singer, who placed fourth on the show.

But she's only staying long enough to visit with friends and family, eat tacos at LaFamilia Morales Mexican Restaurant and shop at Meijer.

"I'm only home for 24 hours," Jones said. "I'm on my way to Houston."

Jones lived in Houston for several years before moving to Maryland for six months. Then it was on to Hollywood and fame on "American Idol."

After remarks by Mayor Don Williamson - including "We are proud to proclaim you as Flint's one and only rose" - and City Attorney Trachelle Young, Jones was presented with two bouquets and took a couple of questions from the audience.

About 75 members of her family met her at the airport. Some - including her grandmother, Ruth Jefferson Morris of Flint, decked out in a long red suit and feather white hat - arrived in style on a limo bus with black leather seats, wine glasses, a surround-sound stereo, TV and satellite dish.

After the meet-and-greet, the family headed back to the bus, with Jones in tow.

Despite the frenzied atmosphere, a poised and gracious Jones took time to hug fans of all ages, pose for pictures and sign autographs.

Lisa came with her whole family, including her grandmother, Barb Smith.

"LaKisha came in fourth, but she's still a winner," said Smith, who voted for Jones 400 times on the singer's last "Idol" performance night. "She's just fabulous. With no professional training, her voice just brings goosebumps."

Chuck Rickard, 64, of Flint, attended every weekly rally held at City Hall while Jones was on "Idol" and wasn't about to miss the homecoming.

"This is my chance to see her in person, say hi, welcome her home and say congratulations," he said. "It'll be exciting to see a star."

Listen to why some other fans said they came to the airport to greet LaKisha Jones.